JP2013134970A - Vehicular headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, as for a conventional vehicular headlamp, a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern cannot be obtained in a lamp unit of lens direct projection light distribution type.SOLUTION: The vehicular headlamp includes a semiconductor type light source 2, a lens 35, a light control member 6, and a driving member 7. The lens 35 is constructed of a main lens section 3 and an auxiliary lens section 5. The light control member 6 is constructed of a light shielding section 60 and a light transmission section 61. The driving member 7 positions the light control member 6 movably and changeably between a first position and a second position. As a result, in the lamp unit of lens direct projection light distribution type, the low-beam light distribution pattern LP and a high-beam light distribution pattern HP can be obtained.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular headlamp that allows light from a semiconductor-type light source to enter a lens and irradiate the front of the vehicle as a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern from the lens. .

  This type of vehicle headlamp has been conventionally used (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). Hereinafter, a conventional vehicle headlamp will be described.

  The conventional vehicular headlamp disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a semiconductor light emitting element, a projection lens, a light guide, a movable light shielding member, and an actuator that moves the movable light shielding member. In the conventional vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, when the movable light shielding member is located at the non-shielding position, the light from the semiconductor light emitting element is incident on the projection lens and the light guide, respectively, and the side zone from the projection lens. The light distribution pattern for the vehicle is irradiated in front of the vehicle, and the light distribution for the center zone is applied to the front of the vehicle. Further, when the movable light shielding member is located at the shielding position, the light incident on the light guide from the semiconductor light emitting element is shielded by the movable light shielding member, so that only the side zone light distribution pattern is irradiated from the projection lens to the front of the vehicle. The As a result, a high beam light distribution pattern and a split high beam light distribution pattern (two-divided high beam light distribution pattern) are obtained.

  The conventional vehicle headlamp disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a light source, a lens, a first reflection surface, and a second reflection surface. In the conventional vehicle headlamp disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the first reflecting surface is located at the open position, the light from the light source passes through the lens and is irradiated to the front of the vehicle as a light distribution pattern for passing beams. The Further, when the first reflecting surface is located at the light shielding position, the light from the light source is reflected by the first reflecting surface, and the reflected light is reflected by the second reflecting surface, and the light distribution pattern for the traveling beam is forward of the vehicle. Irradiated.

JP 2010-212089 A JP 2011-113732 A

  However, since the conventional vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 has a structure that obtains a high beam light distribution pattern and a split high beam light distribution pattern, a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern are provided. I can't get it. In the conventional vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2, since the means for forming the light distribution pattern for the traveling beam is the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is incident on the lens. It cannot be applied to a lamp unit (lens direct light distribution type lamp unit) that irradiates the front of the vehicle as a low beam distribution pattern and a high beam distribution pattern from the lens.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that in a conventional vehicle headlamp, a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern cannot be obtained in a lens direct light distribution type lamp unit.

  The present invention (the invention according to claim 1) includes a semiconductor-type light source, a lens that irradiates light from the semiconductor-type light source as a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern, respectively, in front of the vehicle, a light control member, A drive member that positions the light control member so that the light control member can be switched between the first position and the second position, and the light control member is configured by a plate-shaped light shielding portion disposed inside the vehicle. When the light control member is positioned at the first position, the light shielding unit shields a part of the light from the semiconductor light source and causes the remaining light to enter the lens so that the light distribution pattern for the low beam is emitted from the lens. When the light control member is irradiated in front of the vehicle and the light control member is located at the second position, the light from the semiconductor light source is incident on the lens as it is and irradiated to the front of the vehicle from the lens as a high beam light distribution pattern. It is characterized in.

  In this invention (the invention according to claim 2), the light control member includes the light shielding part and the light transmission part, and the light transmission part is located at the first position. Sometimes, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is directly incident on the lens and irradiated from the lens to the front of the vehicle as a low beam light distribution pattern. When the light control member is located at the second position, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is emitted. It is characterized in that a part of the optical path is changed and then incident on a lens and irradiated from the lens as a high beam light distribution pattern.

  The present invention (the invention according to claim 3) includes a semiconductor-type light source, and a main lens portion and an auxiliary lens portion that respectively irradiate the front of the vehicle with light from the semiconductor-type light source as a predetermined light distribution pattern. A light control member including a lens, a light shielding part, and a light transmission part; and a drive member for movably switching the light control member to a first position and a second position. However, when the light control member is located at the first position, the light incident on the auxiliary lens portion from the semiconductor-type light source is shielded, and when the light control member is located at the second position, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is excluded from the auxiliary lens. When the light control member is located at the first position, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is directly incident on the main lens portion. When the light control member is located at the second position, the semiconductor Transmits light from the mold light source The main lens unit emits light directly incident from the semiconductor-type light source as a low beam light distribution pattern to the front of the vehicle, and the light transmitted from the semiconductor-type light source through the light transmitting unit is a high beam. As a light distribution pattern for the vehicle, the auxiliary lens unit emits light from the semiconductor-type light source as a spot light distribution pattern. It is characterized by irradiating almost the center.

  In the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), when the light control member is located at the first position, the light shielding portion shields a part of the light from the semiconductor light source, and the remaining light. Is incident on the lens and irradiated from the lens as a light distribution pattern for a low beam to the front of the vehicle, and when the light control member is located at the second position, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is incident on the lens as it is. The light is emitted from the lens in front of the vehicle as a high beam light distribution pattern. As a result, a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern can be reliably obtained in a lens direct light distribution type lamp unit.

  In addition, in the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), a plate-shaped light shielding portion for switching between the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern is disposed inside the vehicle. . As a result, even when the light distribution pattern for the low beam is irradiated, the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source, and the ambient light emitted to the outside of the vehicle out of the ambient light is used as the side diffuse light distribution pattern as the low beam distribution pattern. Wide irradiation to the side of the light pattern (the road piece side) is possible. Thereby, it is possible to switch between the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern while maintaining the side diffusion light distribution pattern.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) is a light emitted from a semiconductor-type light source because the plate-shaped light shielding portion is disposed inside the vehicle, Of the light, ambient light radiated to the inside of the vehicle, that is, ambient light that is not used as a side diffusion light distribution pattern can be effectively used as a high beam light distribution pattern.

  In the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), when the light control member is located at the first position, the light shielding portion shields a part of the light from the semiconductor light source, and the remaining light. Is incident on the lens as it is without passing through the light transmitting portion and is emitted from the lens to the front of the vehicle as a light distribution pattern for low beam, and when the light control member is located at the second position, the light from the semiconductor light source A part of the light beam is changed by the light transmitting portion and incident on the lens, and the remaining light from the semiconductor light source is incident on the lens as it is and is irradiated to the front of the vehicle as a high beam light distribution pattern. . As a result, a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern can be obtained more reliably in a lens direct light distribution type lamp unit.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) changes the light path of a part of the light from the semiconductor-type light source by the light transmitting portion, and is thus emitted from the semiconductor-type light source. Can be used effectively as a high beam light distribution pattern.

  In the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), when the light control member is positioned at the first position by the driving member, the light shielding portion is positioned between the semiconductor-type light source and the auxiliary lens portion. The light that is about to enter the auxiliary lens unit from the semiconductor-type light source is shielded, while the light transmission unit is located at a position other than between the semiconductor-type light source and the main lens unit. Light is directly incident on the main lens unit and is emitted from the main lens unit to the front of the vehicle as a low beam light distribution pattern. Further, in the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), when the light control member is positioned at the second position by the driving member, the light transmission portion is located between the semiconductor light source and the main lens portion. The light from the semiconductor-type light source is transmitted through the light transmission part, enters the main lens part, and is irradiated from the main lens part to the front of the vehicle as a high beam light distribution pattern, while the light shielding part is a semiconductor Is located at a position other than between the mold light source and the auxiliary lens unit, the light from the semiconductor type light source is incident on the auxiliary lens unit, and as a spot light distribution pattern from the auxiliary lens unit in front of the vehicle, the main lens Irradiation is performed on substantially the center of the high beam light distribution pattern irradiated from the portion. Thus, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) can obtain a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern.

  Moreover, in the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), the means for forming a low beam light distribution pattern is a main lens portion for a single semiconductor-type light source, and the high beam light distribution. The means for forming the pattern is the light transmitting portion and the main lens portion, and is composed of substantially the same means, so that both the optimum low beam light distribution pattern and the optimum high beam light distribution pattern can be easily obtained.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) transmits light from the semiconductor-type light source to the light transmitting portion and the main lens portion to form a high beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, the attenuation of light is small as compared with the conventional vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 in which the light from the light source is reflected on the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface to form the traveling beam light distribution pattern. As a result, a bright and efficient high beam light distribution pattern can be obtained.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, and is a plan view of a vehicle equipped with left and right vehicle headlamps. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of the left lamp unit. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the left lamp unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the left lamp unit. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3 when the light control member is located at the first position. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3 when the light control member is located at the second position. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3 when the light control member is located at the first position. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3 when the light control member is located at the second position. FIG. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional explanatory view showing the operation of the light shielding portion when the light control member is located at the first position. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view showing the optical path of the auxiliary lens portion of the lens. FIG. 11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the optical path of the auxiliary lens portion of the lens. FIG. 12 is a perspective explanatory view showing the optical path of the auxiliary lens portion of the lens. FIG. 13 is a front view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, the drive member, and the cover member when the light control member is located at the first position. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, the drive member, and the cover member when the light control member is located at the second position. FIG. 15 is a side view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, the drive member, and the cover member when the light control member is located at the first position. FIG. 16 is a side view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, the drive member, and the cover member when the light control member is located at the second position. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, the drive member, and the cover member when the light control member is located at the first position. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the semiconductor light source, the light control member, the drive member, and the cover member when the light control member is located at the second position. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, and the drive member when the light control member is located at the first position. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the semiconductor-type light source, the light control member, and the drive member when the light control member is located at the second position. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern irradiated from the left lamp unit. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern that are irradiated and synthesized (superimposed) from the lamp units on both the left and right sides. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern showing Embodiment 2 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, two examples of embodiments (examples) of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. 21 to 23, reference sign “VU-VD” indicates vertical lines on the upper and lower sides of the screen. Reference sign “HL-HR” indicates horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an isoluminous curve showing a simplified light distribution pattern on the screen drawn by computer simulation. In the explanatory diagram of the isoluminous curve, the central isoluminous curve indicates high luminous intensity, and the outer isoluminous curve indicates low luminous intensity. Furthermore, in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, hatching of the cross section of the lens is omitted. In this specification, front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right are front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right when the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle.

(Description of Configuration of Embodiment 1)
1 to 22 show Embodiment 1 of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp according to the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1L and 1R denote vehicle headlamps (for example, headlamps) according to the first embodiment. The vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R are mounted on both left and right ends of the front portion of the vehicle C. Hereinafter, the left vehicle headlamp 1L mounted on the left side of the vehicle C will be described. Since the right vehicle headlamp 1R mounted on the right side of the vehicle C has substantially the same configuration as the left vehicle headlamp 1L, the description thereof is omitted.

(Explanation of lamp unit)
2 to 8, the vehicle headlamp 1L includes a lamp housing (not shown), a lamp lens (not shown), a semiconductor light source 2, a lens 35, a heat sink member, A dual-purpose mounting member (hereinafter referred to as “heat sink member”) 4, a light control member (movable optical component) 6, a drive member 7, and a cover member 8 are provided.

  The semiconductor-type light source 2, the lens 35, the heat sink member 4, the light control member 6, the driving member 7, and the cover member 8 constitute a lamp unit. The lamp housing and the lamp lens define a lamp chamber (not shown). The lamp units 2, 35, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are disposed in the lamp chamber, and include a vertical optical axis adjustment mechanism (not shown) and a horizontal optical axis adjustment mechanism (not shown). To the lamp housing.

(Description of the semiconductor-type light source 2)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 to 9, 11 to 13, 17, 19, and 20, the semiconductor-type light source 2 is, for example, an LED, an EL (organic EL), or the like. It is a self-luminous semiconductor light source. The semiconductor light source 2 includes a light emitting chip (LED chip) 20, a package (LED package) in which the light emitting chip 20 is sealed with a sealing resin member, a substrate 21 on which the package is mounted, and an attachment to the substrate 21. And a connector 22 for supplying a current from a power source (battery) to the light emitting chip 20. In FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, the connector 22 is not shown. Engaging portions 23 are provided at least on the upper, left, and right of the four sides of the substrate 21. The substrate 21 is fixed to the heat sink member 4 by screws 24. As a result, the semiconductor light source 2 is fixed to the heat sink member 4.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light emitting chip 20 has a planar rectangular shape (planar rectangular shape). That is, four square chips are arranged in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction). Two, three, or five or more square chips, one rectangular chip, or one square chip may be used. Front of the light emitting chip 20 In this example, a rectangular front forms the light emitting surface 25. The light emitting surface 25 faces the front side of the reference optical axis (reference axis) Z of the lens 35. The center O of the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20 is located at or near the reference focal point F of the lens 35 and on or near the reference optical axis Z of the lens 35.

  In FIG. 12, X, Y, and Z constitute an orthogonal coordinate (XYZ orthogonal coordinate system). The X axis is a horizontal axis in the left-right direction that passes through the center O of the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, and is inside the vehicle C, that is, in the first embodiment, the right side is the + direction and the left side is-. Direction. The Y axis is a vertical axis in the vertical direction passing through the center O of the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, and in the first embodiment, the upper side is the + direction and the lower side is the − direction. Further, the Z axis is a normal line (perpendicular) passing through the center O of the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, that is, an axis in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the X axis and the Y axis. , The front side is the + direction and the rear side is the − direction.

(Description of cover member 8)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 to 7, 13, and 15 to 18, the cover member 8 has a rectangular cover shape with a window 80 at the center. The cover member 8 is made of a light-impermeable member, for example. Elastic engagement claws 81 are integrally provided on the cover member 8 at three positions on the left and right. The elastic engagement claw 81 is elastically fitted to the engagement portion 23 of the semiconductor light source 2. As a result, the cover member 8 is integrally fixed to the semiconductor light source 2. In addition, the cover member 8 is fixed to the heat sink member 4 with a screw in a state where the semiconductor light source 2 is sandwiched between the cover member 8 and the heat sink member 4, and the cover member 8 and the heat sink The semiconductor light source 2 may be fixed between the member 4 and the member 4.

  The window 80 of the cover member 8 is positioned corresponding to the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2. Portions other than the window portion 80 of the cover member 8 cover the periphery of the light emitting chip 20 in the front surface of the substrate 21 of the semiconductor light source 2. As a result, light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is shielded by the portion other than the window portion 80 of the cover member 8 through the window portion 80 of the cover member 8. Without incident on the lens 35 side. Further, the periphery of the light emitting chip 20 in the front surface of the substrate 21 of the semiconductor light source 2 is covered with a portion other than the window portion 80 of the cover member 8. As a result, the appearance is improved.

  On both the left and right sides of the cover member 8, cylindrical shafts 82 are integrally provided in parallel or substantially parallel to the X-axis direction. In the vicinity of the shaft 82 on at least one of the left and right sides of the cover member 8 (in this example, the left side), a pin 83 is provided integrally or in parallel with the X-axis direction.

(Description of lens 35)
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 12, the lens 35 includes a main lens portion 3, an auxiliary lens portion 5, and a plurality of fixed legs 36 in this example. 10 and 11 indicate a boundary line between the main lens unit 3 and the auxiliary lens unit 5. The fixed leg portion 36 is fixed to the heat sink member 4 by a screw 37. As a result, the lens 35 is fixed to the heat sink member 4. In this example, the fixed leg portion 36 is integrally formed with the lens 35, but may be a separate structure from the lens 35.

(Description of main lens unit 3)
The main lens unit 3 has the reference optical axis Z and the reference focal point F as shown in FIG. The main lens unit 3 uses central light L5 and part L6 of ambient light among the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 2. The central light L5 is light having a predetermined angle (about 40 ° in this example) from the X-axis or Y-axis of the hemispherical emission range of the semiconductor-type light source 2, and is the center of the main lens unit 3. It is light incident on the part. The ambient light is light within a predetermined angle (about 40 ° in this example) from the X axis or Y axis of the hemispherical emission range of the semiconductor light source 2. The part L6 of the ambient light is light that enters the peripheral part of the main lens unit 3 among the peripheral light. In this example, the main lens unit 3 is a transmissive lens unit that transmits light from the semiconductor light source 2.

  The main lens unit 3 is a main light distribution pattern for light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 (the central light L5 and a part of the ambient light L6). In the first embodiment, FIG. Vehicle as low beam light distribution pattern (passing light distribution pattern) LP shown in (A) and high beam light distribution pattern (running light distribution pattern) HP shown in FIGS. 21 (B) and 22 (B). Irradiate in front of C. In other words, the main lens unit 3 irradiates the front of the vehicle C with the light (directed from the central light L5 and part of the ambient light L6) directly from the semiconductor-type light source 2 as the low beam light distribution pattern LP. In addition, the light transmitted through the light control member 6 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 (the central light L5) and the light directly incident from the semiconductor-type light source 2 (a part L6 of the ambient light) are distributed for the high beam. Irradiate the front of the vehicle C as the light pattern HP.

  The main lens unit 3 includes an incident surface 30 on which light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the main lens unit 3 and an output surface 31 on which light incident on the main lens unit 3 exits. Has been. The entrance surface 30 of the main lens unit 3 is composed of a free-form surface or a composite quadric surface. The exit surface 31 of the main lens portion 3 has a convex shape protruding to the opposite side of the semiconductor light source 2, and is composed of a free curved surface or a composite quadratic curved surface.

(Description of auxiliary lens unit 5)
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the auxiliary lens portion 5 is provided in the vicinity of the main lens portion 3 on the inner side of the vehicle C, that is, the right side in the first embodiment. The auxiliary lens unit 5 effectively uses another part L1 of the ambient light out of the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 2. The other part L1 of the ambient light is light that enters the auxiliary lens unit 5 out of the ambient light. In this example, the auxiliary lens unit 5 is a total reflection type lens unit that totally reflects light (other part of the ambient light) L1 from the semiconductor-type light source 2. The auxiliary lens unit 5 is integral with the main lens unit 3.

  The auxiliary lens unit 5 uses the light L1 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 as an auxiliary light distribution pattern, and in the first embodiment, as the spot light distribution pattern SP shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B. The light beam is irradiated on the front portion of the vehicle C and substantially at the center of the high beam light distribution pattern HP irradiated from the main lens portion 3.

  The auxiliary lens unit 5 reflects the incident surface 50 on which the light L1 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the auxiliary lens unit 5, and the light L2 incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5 from the incident surface 50. The reflecting surface 51 and the reflecting surface L <b> 3 reflected by the reflecting surface 51 are configured to be emitted from the auxiliary lens unit 5 to the outside.

  The incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 is composed of a free-form surface whose normal vector is determined so that the light L1 from the semiconductor light source 2 is incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5 without being refracted. ing. That is, the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 is formed of a free curved surface in which the radiation direction of the light L1 from the semiconductor light source 2 and the normal N1 direction of the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 coincide. Has been.

  The reflection surface 51 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 is configured so that the light L2 incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5 from the incident surface 50 is entirely in the targeted angle direction on the screen of FIGS. 21 (B) and 22 (B). It consists of a free-form surface whose normal vector is determined to reflect. In other words, the reflecting surface 51 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 is such that the light L2 incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5 from the incident surface 50 is aimed at the target angular direction on the screen of FIGS. 21 (B) and 22 (B). Is formed from a free-form surface whose normal line N2 is determined so as to be totally reflected. That is, the angle formed by the incident light L2 with respect to the normal line N2 of the reflective surface 51 and the angle formed by the reflected light L3 with respect to the normal line N2 of the reflective surface 51 are equal.

  The exit surface 52 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 has a normal vector determined so that the reflected light L3 totally reflected by the reflection surface 51 is emitted without being refracted from the auxiliary lens unit 5 to the outside. It is composed of curved surfaces. That is, the exit surface 52 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 is a free-form surface in which the reflection direction of the reflected light L3 totally reflected by the reflection surface 51 coincides with the normal N3 direction of the exit surface 52 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. It is composed of

(Description of heat sink member 4)
The heat sink member 4 radiates heat generated by the semiconductor light source 2 to the outside. The heat sink member 4 is made of, for example, an aluminum die casting or a resin member having thermal conductivity. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the heat sink member 4 includes a vertical plate portion 40 and a plurality of vertical plate-shaped fins integrally provided on one surface (rear surface, rear surface) of the vertical plate portion 40. Part 43.

  On the fixed surface of the other surface (front surface, front surface) of the vertical plate portion 40 of the heat sink member 4, an inverted concave storage groove portion is provided. Among the storage groove portions, the upper horizontal storage groove portion constitutes a first storage groove portion 41 as a first storage portion. Moreover, the lower part of the right vertical storage groove part of the said storage groove part comprises the 2nd storage groove part 42 as a 2nd storage part. A storage recess may be used instead of the storage groove. That is, instead of the first storage groove 41 and the second storage groove 42, a first storage recess and a second storage recess may be used. The first storage groove portion 41 of the first storage portion and the second storage groove portion 42 of the second storage portion are viewed through the lens 35 from the front of the vehicle C, and the perspective range of the lens 35 (projection range of the lens 35, The range of the lens 35 is provided.

  The semiconductor-type light source 2 is fixed by the screw 24 inside the storage groove portion of the other surface of the vertical plate portion 40. As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the cover member 8 fixed to the semiconductor light source 2 and the shaft 82 are housed in vertical housing grooves on both the left and right sides of the housing groove. Further, the lens 35 is fixed by the screw 37 on the outer surface of the storage groove portion on the other surface of the vertical plate portion 40.

  A storage recess 44 is provided in a part of the plurality of fin portions 43 of the heat sink member 4, that is, in the middle portion on the right side of the plurality of fin portions 43. A hole 45 is provided in the bottom of the storage recess 44.

(Description of Light Control Member 6)
The light control member 6 is configured to be movable and switched between a first position and a second position by the drive member 7. The said 1st position is a position of the state shown in FIG.2, FIG.5, FIG.7, FIG.9 (A), FIG.13, FIG.15, FIG.17 and FIG. The second position is a position in the state shown in FIGS. 6, 8, 14, 16, 18, and 20.

  The light control member 6 includes a light shielding part 60, a light transmission part 61, and an attachment part 62. The light shielding part 60 and the attachment part 62 are made of a light-impermeable member and form an integral structure. The light transmission part 61 is composed of a light transmission member and has a separate structure from the light shielding part 60 and the attachment part 62. The light shielding portion 60, the light transmitting portion 61, and the mounting portion 62 are integrally formed of a light transmitting member, and a light-opaque paint or the like is applied to the light shielding portion 60 and the mounting portion 62. It may be what you did. Further, the light control member 6 may be configured integrally with a transparent resin material and an opaque material. For example, the transparent resin material of the light transmission part 61 and the opaque resin material of the light shielding part 60 and the attachment part 62 are integrally formed, or the opaque steel plates of the light shielding part 60 and the attachment part 62 are formed on the opaque steel plate. The transparent resin material of the light transmission part 61 is outsert-molded.

  The light control member 6 is connected to the cover member 8 via the mounting portion 62 around the central axis (an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the X axis) O1 of the shaft 82. It is attached so that rotation is possible. The rotation angle between the first position and the second position is preferably 90 ° or less. In this example, it is about 80 °. Here, when the light control member 6 is located at the first position, most of the light control member 6 is housed in the first housing groove 41 and the other surface of the vertical plate 40 of the heat sink member 4 ( It is located behind the fixed surface.

(Description of mounting portion 62)
The mounting portion 62 has a frame shape with an open center. That is, the mounting portion 62 is composed of front and rear (upper and lower) both ends around the center opening and left and right side portions. Circular through holes 63 are provided on the left and right sides of the mounting portion 62 so as to correspond to the shaft 82 of the cover member 8. On the left side of the mounting portion 62, an arc groove 64 is provided in an arc shape corresponding to the pin 83 of the cover member 8 and centering on the center of the through hole 63. A locking piece 65 having a small hole is integrally provided on the left side of the mounting portion 62.

  The shaft 82 of the cover member 8 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 63 of the mounting portion 62. The pin 83 of the cover member 8 is inserted into the arc groove 64 of the mounting portion 62. As a result, the light control member 6 is rotatably attached to the cover member 8 via the attachment portion 62. A part of the mounting portion 62 is accommodated in vertical storage groove portions on the left and right sides of the storage groove portion of the heat sink member 4 together with a part of the cover member 8 and the shaft 82.

  When the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the mounting portion 62 is located with the light transmission portion 61 at a position other than between the semiconductor light source 2 and the main lens portion 3, that is, the first storage. The groove 41 is accommodated. The attachment portion 62 is located between the semiconductor light source 2 and the main lens portion 3 together with the light transmission portion 61 when the light control member 6 is located at the second position. Here, most of the mounting portion 62 when the light control member 6 is located at the first position is housed in the first housing groove portion 41 together with the light transmitting portion 61, and the heat sink member 4 on the rear side of the other surface (fixed surface) of the vertical plate portion 40.

(Description of the light shielding part 60)
The light shielding portion 60 has a bar shape that is integrally provided in one end (front end or lower end) of the right side portion of the mounting portion 62 in the vertical direction (front-rear direction). The light shielding unit 60 is a shade. When the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the light shielding part 60 is located between the semiconductor light source 2 and the auxiliary lens part 5 as shown in FIG. The light (other part of the ambient light) L1 incident on the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 from the mold light source 2 is shielded.

  The light shielding portion 60 when the light control member 6 is located at the first position is located within the following region (range) as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9 (A). And it is in the state of the following posture. That is, the region includes a line segment connecting the light shielding start point 53 of the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 and the farthest point 26 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2, and the auxiliary lens unit 5. The line passing through the light shielding end point 54 of the incident surface 50 and the closest point 27 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2 and the lens passing through the closest point 27 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2. 35 of a line segment parallel or substantially parallel to the reference optical axis Z (perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2) 28 and the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. And an area surrounded by. The posture is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 (parallel or substantially parallel to the reference optical axis Z of the lens 35).

  When the light control member 6 is located at the second position, the light shielding portion 60 is located at a position other than between the semiconductor light source 2 and the auxiliary lens portion 5, as shown in FIGS. Light (other part of the ambient light) L <b> 1 stored in the second storage groove 42 and incident from the semiconductor-type light source 2 is incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 21 (B) and 22 (B), the spot light distribution pattern SP is in front of the vehicle C and is emitted from the main lens portion 3 to the high beam light distribution pattern. It is irradiated to the substantially central part of HP. Here, most of the light shielding part 60 when the light control member 6 is located at the second position is housed in the second housing groove part 42, and the vertical plate part of the heat sink member 4. It is located behind the other surface (fixed surface) of 40.

(Description of the light transmission part 61)
The light transmission part 61 has a plate shape fixed to both front and rear center parts of the attachment part 62. When the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the light transmission part 61 is located at a position other than between the semiconductor light source 2 and the main lens part 3, as shown in FIGS. Light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 (the central light L5 and part of the ambient light L6) that is stored in the first storage groove 41 is directly incident on the central portion of the main lens portion 3. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A, the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP is irradiated in front of the vehicle C. Here, most of the light transmission portion 61 when the light control member 6 is located at the first position is housed in the first housing groove 41 and the vertical plate portion of the heat sink member 4. It is located behind the other surface (fixed surface) of 40.

  When the light control member 6 is located at the second position, the light transmission part 61 is located between the semiconductor light source 2 and the main lens part 3 as shown in FIGS. Then, the light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 (the central light L5) is transmitted and incident on the central portion of the main lens portion 3. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B, the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP is irradiated in front of the vehicle C.

  In this example, the light transmitting portion 61 is configured by a prism (refer to a prism member described in JP 2010-153181 A). As shown in FIGS. 21A, 21 </ b> B, 22 </ b> A, and 22 </ b> B, the light transmission unit 61 includes the main lens unit 3 out of the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 2. The optical path of the central light L5 incident on the central portion is changed to deform the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. That is, the light transmission part 61 raises a part of the light of the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP into a mountain shape upward from the cut-off line CL of the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP. Thus, the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP is transformed into the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. The central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are formed from light concentrated in the center.

(Description of opening 66)
Openings 66 are formed between the left and right sides of the light transmitting portion 61 and the left and right sides of the mounting portion 62, respectively. When the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the left and right openings 66 are located at positions other than between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the main lens portion 3, that is, in the first storage groove 41. The light transmitting portion 61 and the mounting portion 62 are housed together.

  When the light control member 6 is located at the second position, the openings 66 on both the left and right sides are arranged between the semiconductor light source 2 and the main lens portion 3 as shown in FIG. The main lens unit is located together with the part 61 and the mounting part 62 and allows the light from the semiconductor light source 2 (the part L6 of the ambient light and the other part L1 of the ambient light) to pass through as they are. 3 and the auxiliary lens unit 5. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B, the light emitted from the peripheral portion of the main lens portion 3 and the auxiliary lens portion 5 is the left and right end portions of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. HPL, HPR, and the spot light distribution pattern SP are irradiated in front of the vehicle C.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 21 (B), and 22 (B), the opening 66 on the left side allows the part L6 of the ambient light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 to pass through as it is, so that the main lens portion 3 is incident on the peripheral portion. For this reason, the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are substantially equal to the left and right end portions LPL and LPR of the low beam light distribution pattern LP without deformation. As a result, the left and right opening portions 66 can maintain the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP substantially equal to the left and right end portions LPL and LPR of the low beam light distribution pattern LP. .

  The left and right end portions LPL and LPR of the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are light diffused in the left and right sides (the road piece side) (side diffused light distribution pattern). Of light). Here, a central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP and a central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP, left and right end portions LPL and LPR of the low beam light distribution pattern LP, and the high beam light distribution pattern HP. As shown in FIG. 21, the boundary between the left and right end portions HPL and HPR is about 20 ° in the horizontal direction (about 16 ° to about 24 °).

(Description of drive member 7)
As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 8, and 15 to 20, the drive member 7 switches (rotates and rotates) the light control member 6 between the first position and the second position. It is positioned as possible. The driving member 7 includes a solenoid 70, a connecting pin 71, and a spring 72.

  The solenoid 70 is provided with an advance / retreat rod 73 having a small hole. The solenoid 70 is integrally provided with a fixed piece 74. The solenoid 70 is housed in the housing recess 44 of the heat sink member 4. The advance / retreat rod 73 is inserted into the hole 45 of the heat sink member 4. The fixed piece 74 is fixed to the heat sink member 4 with a screw 75. As a result, the driving member 7 is fixed to the heat sink member 4.

  Both ends of the connecting pin 71 are attached to the locking piece 65 and the advance / retreat rod 73 of the light control member 6, respectively. Both ends of the spring 72 are respectively attached to the light control member 6 on the rotation side (movable side) and the cover member 8 on the fixed side. As a result, when the solenoid 70 is not energized, the advance / retreat rod 73 is positioned at the advance position by the spring force of the spring 72 as shown in FIGS. 6 is located in the first position. When the solenoid 70 is energized, as shown in FIGS. 16, 18, and 20, the forward / backward rod 73 moves backward against the spring force of the spring 72 and is positioned at the backward position, so that the light control is performed. The member 6 is located at the second position.

(Description of the operation of the first embodiment)
The vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment are configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

  In a normal state, that is, when the solenoid 70 is not energized, the advance / retreat rod 73 is located at the advance position and the light control member 6 is located at the first position by the spring force of the spring 72. At this time, the light shielding part 60 is located between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the auxiliary lens part 5, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, most of the light transmitting portion 61 and most of the mounting portion 62 are housed in a position other than between the semiconductor light source 2 and the main lens portion 3, that is, in the first housing groove 41, as shown in FIG. ing.

  In this normal time, the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is turned on. Then, among the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, the central light L5 and the part L6 of the ambient light of the semiconductor-type light source 2 are directly incident on the incident surface of the main lens unit 3, as shown in FIG. 30 enters the main lens unit 3. At this time, the light distribution of the incident light is controlled on the incident surface 30. Incident light that enters the main lens unit 3 exits from the exit surface 31 of the main lens unit 3. At this time, the emitted light is subjected to light distribution control on the emission surface 31. As shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A, the emitted light from the main lens unit 3 is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as a low-beam light distribution pattern LP having a cut-off line CL.

  Here, the central light L5 of the semiconductor light source 2 incident on the central portion of the main lens portion 3 is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as the left and right end portions LPL and LPR of the low beam light distribution pattern LP. A part L6 of the ambient light of the semiconductor light source 2 incident on the peripheral part of the main lens part 3 is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as a central part LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP.

  On the other hand, of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, it is the ambient light L <b> 1 of the semiconductor light source 2 and is intended to enter the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 (other ambient light). Part L1 is shielded by a light shielding part 60 located between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens part 5, as shown in FIG. As a result, in the normal time, the low beam light distribution pattern LP having the cut-off line CL is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as shown in FIGS. 21 (A) and 22 (A).

  Here, when the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the light shielding portion 60 is located within a predetermined region as shown in FIG. It is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface 25 (parallel or substantially parallel to the reference optical axis Z of the lens 35). As described above, the predetermined region is a line segment connecting the light shielding start point 53 of the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 and the farthest point 26 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2 and the incident of the auxiliary lens unit 5. With respect to the reference optical axis Z of the lens 35 passing through the closest point 27 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2 and the line segment connecting the light shielding end point 54 of the surface 50 and the closest point 27 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2 The line segment 28 is parallel to or substantially parallel to the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. As a result, the light shielding unit 60 is the ambient light L1 of the semiconductor light source 2 out of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20 and is intended to enter the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. (Other part of the ambient light) L1 can be reliably shielded.

  Then, the solenoid 70 is energized. Then, the advance / retreat rod 73 moves backward against the spring force of the spring 72 and is positioned at the retracted position, and the light control member 6 rotates from the first position toward the second position and is positioned at the second position. . That is, the light transmitting portion 61 that has been stored in the first storage groove portion 41 until now is positioned between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the main lens portion 3 as shown in FIGS. Further, most of the light shielding part 60 that has been positioned between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the auxiliary lens part 5 is housed in the second housing groove part 42 as shown in FIG.

  Of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, the central light L5 of the semiconductor light source 2 is transmitted through the light transmitting portion 61, and the transmitted light is transmitted to the main lens as shown in FIG. The light enters the main lens part 3 from the central part of the incident surface 30 of the part 3. At this time, the light distribution of the incident light is controlled on the incident surface 30. Incident light that enters the main lens unit 3 exits from the exit surface 31 of the main lens unit 3. At this time, the emitted light is subjected to light distribution control on the emission surface 31. As shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B, the emitted light from the main lens unit 3 is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as a central portion HPC in the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

  Here, the light transmission part 61 raises a part of the light of the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP into a mountain shape upward from the cut-off line CL of the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP, The central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP is deformed to the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. As a result, the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A is deformed by the light transmitting portion 61, and the high beam shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B is obtained. The light is emitted in front of the vehicle C as the central portion HPC of the light distribution pattern HP.

  For this reason, the center portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A includes the position P1 of the upper end of the guardrail on the left road shoulder approximately 5 m ahead of the vehicle C. Absent. On the other hand, the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B includes the position P1 of the upper end of the guardrail on the left road shoulder approximately 5 m ahead of the vehicle C. ing. As a result, a moderation feeling of switching between the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A and the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B is obtained. It is done.

  On the other hand, of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, a part L6 of the ambient light of the semiconductor light source 2 passes through the opening 66 on the left side of the mounting portion 62 as shown in FIG. The light enters the main lens unit 3 from the periphery of the incident surface 30 of the main lens unit 3. At this time, the light distribution of the incident light is controlled on the incident surface 30. Incident light that enters the main lens unit 3 exits from the exit surface 31 of the main lens unit 3. At this time, the emitted light is subjected to light distribution control on the emission surface 31. As shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B, the emitted light from the main lens unit 3 is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. .

  Here, part of the ambient light L6 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 passes through the left opening 66 as it is and enters the peripheral part of the main lens part 3. For this reason, the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are low beam light distribution patterns formed by a part L6 of ambient light from the semiconductor light source 2 incident on the peripheral portion of the main lens portion 3. The left and right end portions LPL and LPR of LP are substantially the same without being deformed. As a result, the left and right opening portions 66 can maintain the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP substantially equal to the left and right end portions LPL and LPR of the low beam light distribution pattern LP. That is, as shown in FIG. 22C, the right and left of the high-beam light distribution pattern HP1 are changed as in the case where all the light from the semiconductor light source 2 is switched from the low-beam light distribution pattern LP to the high-beam light distribution pattern HP1. In both end portions HPL and HPR, there is no case where a part P2 is dimmed and the amount of light becomes insufficient.

  Further, among the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, another part L1 of the ambient light of the semiconductor light source 2 that has been shielded by the light shielding unit 60 until now is as shown in FIG. The light passes through the opening 66 on the right side of the mounting portion 62 and enters the auxiliary lens portion 5 from the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens portion 5. At this time, the light distribution of the incident light L <b> 2 is controlled on the incident surface 50. Incident light L2 incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5 is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 51 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. At this time, the reflected light L3 is subjected to light distribution control on the reflecting surface 51. The totally reflected light L3 is emitted from the emission surface 52. At this time, the outgoing light L4 is subjected to light distribution control on the outgoing surface 52. As shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B, the emitted light L4 from the auxiliary lens unit 5 is not accompanied by a spectral color, and as a spot light distribution pattern SP in the high beam light distribution pattern HP, as shown in FIGS. It is irradiated in front of the vehicle C and substantially at the center of the high beam light distribution pattern HP irradiated from the main lens unit 3.

  Then, the energization to the solenoid 70 is cut off. Then, the advance / retreat rod 73 moves forward by the spring force of the spring 72 and is positioned at the forward position, and the light control member 6 rotates from the second position toward the first position and is positioned at the first position. That is, the light transmitting portion 61 that has been positioned between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the main lens portion 3 until now is accommodated in the first accommodation groove portion 41. Further, the light shielding part 60 that has been accommodated in the second accommodation groove part 42 so far is positioned between the semiconductor light source 2 and the auxiliary lens part 5.

  Here, the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIG. 21A and the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIG. 21B show light distribution patterns obtained from the left vehicle headlamp 1L. A light distribution pattern for low beam (not shown) and a light distribution pattern for high beam (not shown) obtained by the right vehicle headlamp 1R are shown in FIG. 21A obtained by the left vehicle headlamp 1L. The light distribution pattern LP for the low beam shown in FIG. 6 and the light distribution pattern HP for the high beam shown in FIG. That is, the outward spreading of the light distribution pattern of the vehicle C is symmetrical, the cut-off line remains unchanged, and the spot portion moves in parallel in the horizontal direction. Then, the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIG. 21A obtained by the left vehicle headlamp 1L, the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIG. 21B, and the right vehicle headlamp 1R. By superimposing (combining) the obtained low beam light distribution pattern and high beam light distribution pattern, the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIG. 22A and the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIG. It is formed.

(Description of the effect of Embodiment 1)
The vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment are configured and operated as described above, and the effects thereof will be described below.

  In the vehicle headlamps 1 </ b> L and 1 </ b> R according to the first embodiment, when the light control member 6 is positioned at the first position by the driving member 7, the light shielding unit 60 is located between the semiconductor light source 2 and the auxiliary lens unit 5. The light L1 that is about to enter the auxiliary lens unit 5 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 is shielded. On the other hand, the light transmission part 61 is accommodated in a position other than between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the main lens part 3, that is, in the first accommodation groove 41, and the lights L5 and L6 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 are directly received by the main lens part. 3 is irradiated from the main lens unit 3 to the front of the vehicle C as a low beam light distribution pattern LP. Further, in the vehicular headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, when the light control member 6 is positioned at the second position by the driving member 7, the light transmission unit 61 is connected to the semiconductor light source 2, the main lens unit 3, and the like. The light L5 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 passes through the light transmitting portion 61 and enters the main lens portion 3, and enters the main lens portion 3 from the high beam light distribution pattern HP (high beam light distribution pattern). It is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as a central part HPC) of HP. On the other hand, the light shielding part 60 is accommodated in a position other than between the semiconductor-type light source 2 and the auxiliary lens part 5, that is, the second accommodation groove part 42, and the light L 1 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the auxiliary lens part 5. Then, the light distribution pattern SP for the spot is emitted from the auxiliary lens unit 5 to the front of the vehicle C and to the substantially central portion of the light distribution pattern HP for the high beam irradiated from the main lens unit 3. As described above, the vehicular headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment can reliably obtain the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the high beam light distribution pattern HP in the lens direct light distribution type lamp unit. it can.

  In addition, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, a plate-shaped light shielding portion 60 for switching between the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the high beam light distribution pattern HP is disposed inside the vehicle C. ing. As a result, even when the low-beam light distribution pattern LP is irradiated, the ambient light L6 emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 2 and emitted from the ambient light to the outside of the vehicle C is used as the side diffusion light distribution pattern. It is possible to widely irradiate the side (the road piece side) of the low beam light distribution pattern LP, that is, the left and right end portions LPL and LPR. Thereby, it is possible to switch between the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the high beam light distribution pattern HP while maintaining the side diffusion light distribution pattern.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment are light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 2 because the plate-shaped light shielding portion 60 is disposed inside the vehicle C. Of the ambient light, ambient light L1 radiated to the inside of the vehicle, that is, ambient light L1 that is not used as a side diffusion light distribution pattern is used as the high beam light distribution pattern HP, particularly, almost the same as the high beam light distribution pattern HP. It can be effectively used as the spot light distribution pattern SP in the center.

  Since the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment change the optical path of a part L5 of the light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 by the light transmitting portion 61, they are emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 2. The light can be reliably and effectively used as the high beam distribution pattern HP.

  Moreover, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, the means for forming the low beam light distribution pattern LP with respect to the single semiconductor light source 2 is the main lens unit 3, and the high beam distribution is provided. The means for forming the light pattern HP is the light transmitting part 61 and the main lens part 3 and is composed of substantially the same means, that is, the main lens part 3 is excluded except for the light transmitting part 61. Both the light pattern LP and the optimum high-beam light distribution pattern HP can be easily obtained.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment transmit the light L5 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 to the light transmitting portion 61 and the main lens portion 3 to thereby transmit a high beam light distribution pattern HP (for high beam). Since the central portion HPC of the light distribution pattern HP) is formed, the light distribution pattern for traveling beam is formed by reflecting the light from the light source to the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface. Compared with a vehicle headlamp, the attenuation of light is small, and accordingly, a high-beam light distribution pattern HP that is bright and efficient is obtained.

  In the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, the light L1 from the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the auxiliary lens unit 5 without being refracted from the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5, and the auxiliary lens unit 5, the light L2 incident on the auxiliary lens unit 5 from the incident surface 50 is totally reflected in the angle direction aimed at the reflecting surface 51 of the auxiliary lens unit 5, and is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 51 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. Is emitted from the emission surface 52 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 without being refracted from the inside of the auxiliary lens unit 5 to the outside. As a result, the spot light distribution pattern SP formed by the light L <b> 4 emitted from the auxiliary lens portion 5 to the outside from the emission surface 52 of the auxiliary lens portion 5 does not accompany the spectral color.

  In the vehicular headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, the main lens unit 3 and the auxiliary lens unit 5 of the lens 35 are integrated with each other. The positional accuracy becomes high, and the light distribution accuracy between the high beam light distribution pattern HP formed by the main lens unit 3 and the spot light distribution pattern SP formed by the auxiliary lens unit 5 is improved. Light distribution design between the main lens unit 3 and the auxiliary lens unit 5 is facilitated. In addition, since the main lens portion 3 and the auxiliary lens portion 5 of the lens 35 are integrated, the number of parts is reduced and the assembling property is improved. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In particular, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, when the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the light shielding unit 60 has a predetermined shape as shown in FIG. It is located within the region and is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor-type light source 2. For this reason, the light L1 that is ambient light L1 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 and is incident on the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 among the light emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20 is light-shielded. It is possible to reduce the light loss of the light distribution pattern for low beam LP that is accompanied by the shielding by the portion 60.

  The light loss is, as shown in FIG. 9A, a line segment connecting the light shielding start point 53 of the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5 and the farthest point 26 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor-type light source 2; It can be represented by an angle θ formed by a line segment connecting the end (front end) of the light shielding part 60 in contact with this line segment and the closest point 27 of the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2. This angle θ (that is, light loss) is smaller than the angle θ1 (that is, light loss) of the light shielding portion 601 shown in FIG. 9B. The light shielding portion 601 shown in FIG. 9B is located in a predetermined region similar to the above and is parallel or substantially parallel to the light emitting surface 25 of the semiconductor light source 2 (the reference optical axis Z of the lens 35). Perpendicular or nearly perpendicular).

  Moreover, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, when the light control member 6 is located at the first position, the light shielding unit 60 has a predetermined shape as shown in FIG. Since the light is emitted from the light emitting surface 25 of the light emitting chip 20, it is the ambient light L 1 of the semiconductor light source 2, and the light (peripheral light) that is about to enter the incident surface 50 of the auxiliary lens unit 5. The other light part L1 can be reliably shielded by the light shielding part 60.

  Further, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, the light transmitting portion 61 allows a part of the light of the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP to be converted to the central portion of the low beam light distribution pattern LP. The shape is raised upward from the LPC cut-off line CL so as to be deformed from the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP to the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. As a result, the central portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A is deformed by the light transmitting portion 61, and the high beam shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B is obtained. The light is emitted in front of the vehicle C as the central portion HPC of the light distribution pattern HP.

  For this reason, the center portion LPC of the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A includes the position P1 of the upper end of the guardrail on the left road shoulder approximately 5 m ahead of the vehicle C. Absent. On the other hand, the central portion HPC of the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B includes the position P1 of the upper end of the guardrail on the left road shoulder approximately 5 m ahead of the vehicle C. ing. As a result, a moderation feeling of switching between the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIGS. 21A and 22A and the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIGS. 21B and 22B is obtained. It is done.

  Moreover, the vehicular headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment have left and right opening portions 66 such that left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are left and right end portions LPL of the low beam light distribution pattern LP. , And can be maintained almost equal to LPR. As a result, there is no case where the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are partially dimmed and the amount of light becomes insufficient. That is, as shown in FIG. 22C, when all the light from the semiconductor-type light source is switched from the low-beam light distribution pattern to the high-beam light distribution pattern HP1, the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high-beam light distribution pattern HP1 In some cases, part P2 is dimmed and the amount of light becomes insufficient. In contrast, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, there is no case where the left and right end portions HPL and HPR of the high beam light distribution pattern HP are partially dimmed and the amount of light is insufficient. .

  Furthermore, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment are configured so that most of the light transmitting portion 61 and the mounting portion 62 are provided when the light control member 6 is located at the first position, as shown in FIG. Most of the heat is stored in the first storage groove 41 and is located behind the other surface (fixed surface) of the vertical plate portion 40 of the heat sink member 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the light control member 6 is located at the second position, most of the light shielding part 60 is accommodated in the second accommodation groove part 42 and the vertical plate part 40 of the heat sink member 4 is It is located behind the other surface (fixed surface). As a result, the lamp units 2, 35, 4, 6, 7, 8 can be accommodated within the range of the other surface (fixed surface) of the vertical plate portion 40 of the heat sink member 4. , 7, 8 can be reduced in size.

  Moreover, in the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, the first storage groove portion 41 of the first storage portion and the second storage groove portion 42 of the second storage portion look at the lens 35 from the front of the vehicle C. The lens 35 is provided within the see-through range of the lens 35 (the projection range of the lens 35, the range of the lens 35). As a result, the light transmitting portion 61 and the mounting portion 62 housed in the first housing groove portion 41 and the light shielding portion 60 housed in the second housing groove portion 42 are covered with the lens 35 and other members. There is no need. As a result, the front view of the lens 35 and thus the lamp units 2, 35, 4, 6, 7, and 8 can be reduced in size, and it is not necessary to provide a member for concealing, thereby reducing the number of parts. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment have a mounting portion 62 that is the rotation center (center axis O1) of the light control member 6 of the movable member, as shown in FIGS. The through hole 63 and the shaft 82 of the cover member 8 are housed in the vertical housing grooves on the left and right sides of the housing groove portion of the heat sink member 4, and are located behind the other surface (fixed surface) of the vertical plate portion 40 of the heat sink member 4. Is located. As a result, the light transmitting portion 61 and the mounting portion 62 of the light control member 6 are rotated and positioned in the first storage groove portion 41 where the gap is narrow and between the semiconductor light source 2 and the lens 35 where the gap is narrow. be able to. Thereby, the vertical dimension and the longitudinal dimension of the lamp units 2, 35, 4, 6, 7, and 8 can be reduced, and the lamp units 2, 35, 4, 6, 7, and 8 can be downsized. be able to.

  In the vehicle headlamps 1L, 1R according to the first embodiment, the cover member 8 is fixed to the heat sink member 4 integrally with the semiconductor light source 2, and the light control member 6 is rotatably attached to the cover member 8. Is. As a result, variation in relative position between the semiconductor light source 2 and the light control member 6 can be reduced. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the light distribution pattern LP for low beams and the light distribution pattern HP for high beams can be made small, and it can contribute to safe driving | running | working. Further, the dimensional tolerance between the semiconductor light source 2 and the light control member 6 can be relaxed, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(Description of Embodiment 2)
FIG. 23 shows Embodiment 2 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment will be described. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 22 denote the same components.

  The vehicle headlamps 1 </ b> L and 1 </ b> R according to the first embodiment use the light control member 6 including the light shielding part 60 and the light transmission part 61. The vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment uses a light control member composed of a light shielding portion.

  The vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below. First, when the light control member is located at the first position, the light shielding portion is located between the semiconductor light source and the lens, and shields a part of the light from the semiconductor light source and passes the remaining light to the lens. Incident light is emitted from the lens as a low beam light distribution pattern LP to the front of the vehicle. Next, when the light control member is located at the second position, the light shielding portion is located at a position other than between the semiconductor light source and the lens, and the light from the semiconductor light source is incident on the lens as it is. To the front of the vehicle as a high beam light distribution pattern HP2 and a hot zone HZ.

  Since the vehicular headlamp according to the second embodiment is configured as described above, substantially the same effects as the vehicular headlamps 1L and 1R of the first embodiment can be achieved. In particular, the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment uses a light control member composed of a light shielding part, so that the structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is reduced accordingly. In addition, the low beam distribution pattern LP and the high beam distribution pattern HP2 can be easily switched.

(Description of examples other than Embodiments 1 and 2)
In the first and second embodiments, vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R when the vehicle C is on the left side will be described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle headlamp when the vehicle C is right-hand traffic.

  In the first and second embodiments, the main lens portion 3 and the auxiliary lens portion 5 of the lens 35 are integrated. However, in the present invention, the main lens portion 3 and the auxiliary lens portion 5 of the lens 35 may be separate.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, one auxiliary lens unit 5 is provided on the right side (left side) of the main lens unit 3. However, in the present invention, auxiliary lens portions may be provided on the upper side, left side (right side), and lower side of the main lens unit 3. A plurality of auxiliary lens portions may be provided. When a plurality of auxiliary lens portions are provided, in addition to the spot light distribution pattern SP, a front side light distribution pattern, a left side light distribution pattern, a right side light distribution pattern, and an overhead sign light distribution pattern are formed. Further, it may be combined with the spot light distribution pattern SP.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the light control member 6 is rotated between the first position and the second position. However, in the present invention, the light control member 6 may be slid between the first position and the second position. In this case, a slide means is provided instead of the rotating shaft.

  Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 and 2, a solenoid 70 is used as the drive member 7. However, in the present invention, a member other than the solenoid 70 such as a motor may be used as the drive member 7. In this case, a driving force transmission mechanism is provided between the motor and the light control member 6.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the auxiliary lens unit 5 of the lens 35 is a total reflection type lens unit. However, in the present invention, the auxiliary lens part of the lens 35 may be a lens part other than the total reflection type lens part, for example, a refraction type lens part or a Fresnel type lens part.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the other fixed surface of the vertical plate portion 40 of the heat sink member 4 is a flat surface. However, in the present invention, among the fixed surfaces on the other surface of the vertical plate portion of the heat sink member, the fixed surface on which the semiconductor light source is fixed and the other fixed surfaces may be different.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the other surface of the vertical plate portion 40 of the heat sink member 4, that is, the surface facing the lens 35, the surface on which the semiconductor light source 2 is fixed, and the other surfaces. Is almost the same. However, in the present invention, the surface on which the semiconductor light source 2 is fixed may be different from the other surfaces. That is, the surface on which the semiconductor-type light source 2 is fixed may have a convex shape on the lens 35 side with respect to other surfaces, or conversely, a concave shape on the opposite side of the lens 35.

1L Left vehicle headlight 1R Right vehicle headlight 2 Semiconductor-type light source 20 Light emitting chip 21 Substrate 22 Connector 23 Engaging portion 24 Screw 25 Light emitting surface 26 Farthest point 27 Nearest point 28 Line segment 3 Main lens portion 30 Entrance surface of main lens portion 31 Exit surface of main lens portion 35 Lens 36 Fixed leg portion 37 Screw 4 Heat sink member (mounting member)
40 vertical plate portion 41 first storage groove portion 42 second storage groove portion 43 fin portion 44 storage recess portion 45 hole 5 auxiliary lens portion 50 auxiliary lens portion incident surface 51 auxiliary lens portion reflection surface 52 auxiliary lens portion emission surface 53 light shielding start Point 54 Light shielding end point 6 Light control member 60, 601 Light shielding portion 61 Light transmitting portion 62 Mounting portion 63 Through hole 64 Arc groove 65 Locking piece 66 Opening portion 7 Drive member 70 Solenoid 71 Connecting pin 72 Spring 73 Advance / Retreat rod 74 Fixed Piece 75 Screw 8 Cover member 80 Window part 81 Elastic engagement claw 82 Axis 83 Pin C Vehicle CL Cut-off line F Lens reference focus HL-HR Horizontal horizontal line HP, HP1, HP2 High beam light distribution pattern HPC Central part HPL , HPR Left and right both ends HZ Hot zone L1 Semiconductor type light source Of the light (the other part of the ambient light)
L2 Incident light from the incident surface L3 Reflected light from the reflective surface L4 Emitted light from the outgoing surface L5 Central light L6 Part of ambient light LP Low beam light distribution pattern LPC Central part LPL, LPR Left and right end parts N1 Method of incident surface Line N2 Reflection surface normal line N3 Outgoing surface normal line O Light emitting chip center O1 Center axis P1 Upper position of guard rail on left shoulder about 5 m ahead of vehicle C P2 Light intensity insufficient part SP Spot light distribution pattern VU -VD Vertical line on the screen X X axis Y Y axis Z Lens reference optical axis (Z axis)
θ, θ1 Optical loss angle

Claims (3)

A semiconductor light source;
A lens for irradiating the light from the semiconductor-type light source in front of the vehicle as a light distribution pattern for a low beam and a light distribution pattern for a high beam,
A light control member;
A drive member that positions the light control member so as to be switchable between a first position and a second position;
With
The light control member is composed of a plate-shaped light shielding portion disposed inside the vehicle,
When the light control member is located at the first position, the light shielding unit shields a part of the light from the semiconductor-type light source and causes the remaining light to enter the lens so that the low beam is emitted from the lens. When the light distribution pattern is irradiated in front of the vehicle and the light control member is located at the second position, the light from the semiconductor-type light source is incident on the lens as it is, and the light distribution pattern for the high beam is emitted from the lens. Irradiate the front of the vehicle,
A vehicle headlamp characterized by that. The light control member is composed of the light shielding part and a light transmission part,
When the light control member is located at the first position, the light transmission portion causes the light from the semiconductor light source to enter the lens as it is and irradiates the front of the vehicle as the low beam light distribution pattern from the lens. When the light control member is located at the second position, a part of the light path of the light from the semiconductor-type light source is changed and then incident on the lens and irradiated from the lens as the high beam light distribution pattern. To
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. A semiconductor light source;
A lens composed of a main lens portion and an auxiliary lens portion that respectively irradiate the front of the vehicle with light from the semiconductor-type light source as a predetermined light distribution pattern;
A light control member composed of a light shielding part and a light transmission part;
A drive member that positions the light control member so as to be switchable between a first position and a second position;
With
The light shielding portion is located between the semiconductor light source and the auxiliary lens portion when the light control member is located at the first position, and is incident on the auxiliary lens portion from the semiconductor light source. When the light control member is positioned at the second position, the auxiliary lens unit is positioned at a position other than between the semiconductor-type light source and the auxiliary lens unit. Incident on
When the light control member is located at the first position, the light transmission portion is located at a position other than between the semiconductor-type light source and the main lens portion, and directly transmits the light from the semiconductor-type light source. When entering the main lens part and the light control member is located at the second position, the light control member is located between the semiconductor type light source and the main lens part and transmits light from the semiconductor type light source. Incident on the main lens,
The main lens unit emits light directly incident from the semiconductor-type light source as a low-beam light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle, and light transmitted from the semiconductor-type light source through the light transmission unit is a high-beam light distribution pattern. Irradiate the front of the vehicle as
The auxiliary lens unit emits light from the semiconductor-type light source as a spot light distribution pattern in front of a vehicle and substantially at the center of the high beam light distribution pattern irradiated from the main lens unit,
A vehicle headlamp characterized by that.

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